Thanks to these optimally tuned speakers, WaveRunner pilots can experience the exhilarating feeling of a summer music festival while riding across the water.
Select 2025 models of Yamaha’s WaveRunner personal watercraft range now feature a specially designed audio system developed in collaboration with Yamaha Corporation.
It all began with a simple idea from an engineer. As the WaveRunner speeds across the waves, its powerful and immersive audio system should envelop riders in vibrant sound.
Masakichi Suzuki, an electrical engineer at Yamaha Motor, led the development of an innovative audio system that could achieve this. When asked about the natural pairing of personal watercraft and music, Suzuki explained, “It’s similar to the sensation you get when driving—once you get into the ride, you naturally crave upbeat music.”
While Yamaha Corporation has extensive experience creating audio systems for vehicles globally, developing speakers for a marine environment presented unique challenges. “You can’t simply immerse any speaker in water,” Suzuki laughed. Achieving the required level of water resistance and shock absorption involved numerous prototypes, rigorous testing, and continual refinements to the design.
The development team’s primary goal was to capture the energetic atmosphere of a summer outdoor music festival, motivating riders to keep enjoying the experience. Yamaha Corporation’s audio experts meticulously tuned the audio system, incorporating feedback from extensive testing conducted primarily in the U.S.
“The resulting sound profile offers a deep, robust bass, paired with clear mid and high frequencies,” said Suzuki. “It creates an enveloping musical experience, giving the impression that the vocals are right in front of you.”
Additional challenges arose from the open-air nature of personal watercraft, with exposure to waves, wind, and continuous vibrations from both the water and engine. Ensuring robust waterproofing and impact resistance required meticulous attention, leading to repeated cycles of prototyping and adjustments until the final, refined product was achieved.
The sleek, stylish appearance of the new audio system was crafted by the Yamaha Design Laboratory. The speakers boast an impressive drum-shell-like surface with strategically positioned grilles, enhancing the cockpit’s visual appeal.
Suzuki reflected warmly on the development journey, stating, “Listening to music while riding is wonderful, but there’s also something uniquely calming about stopping for a moment to simply enjoy music under a clear, blue sky. I often took those quiet moments between tests to clear my mind and gather my thoughts.”
